The Notebook

I decided to do my third neuro note on one of my favorite movies – The Notebook! I decided to choose this movie because, once again, I am a sucker for love! I’m still a hopeless romantic. I also wanted to get a head start by looking into the neuro disorder dementia. So why not re-watch one of my favs!

The Notebook is a love story about a young couple who fell in love in the 1940s, and is presently told by an elderly man in a modern-day nursing home. He reads this love story to a fellow patient, Allie. The love story begins when the couple were young teenagers up to present. The elderly man reading the story is Noah, and he reads the story to his wife, Allie, who is a patient in the nursing home. Allie is suffering from dementia, and during the onset of her illness she instructed Noah to reread their journals to help her remember. She briefly remembers him but soon forgets as he reads the journals. The movie ends with the two falling asleep together in Allie’s bed and both dying in their sleep together.

            My biggest take away from this movie is that as occupational therapy practitioners it is important to do things meaningful for clients. Allie knew that she would soon be losing her memory; however, she still wanted Noah to reread their journals to help her remember. That was something that was meaningful for her - she enjoyed reading and story time! In addition, it is also important for us to have patience with our clients who have dementia because they simply do not understand what might be occurring, but we should still make them feel valued. Nevertheless, occupational therapy practitioners not only work with the client that has dementia but also their caregivers and family members. Our focus should be on the person’s remaining abilities and adaptations and modifications to maintain participation for as long as possible.

            I recommend this movie for anyone who wants to watch a great love story! Also, for anyone who needs a visual outlook on how to have a successful relationship with a love one who is suffering from dementia. To further my learning, I went to AOTA’s website and read the role of OTs with clients who have Alzheimer’s and Dementia. I learned that 5 million Americans are living with dementia and this is an area of productive aging that OTs work in.

AOTA. (2017). Alzehimer’s and dementia. Retrieved from https://www.aota.org/Practice/Productive-Aging/Alzheimers-Dementia.aspx

Cassavetes, Nick. (2004). The Notebook. [Streaming video]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BiwEfiT-3g